Director of Career Development and Experiential Education

Position Summary

Under the general direction of the Provost/VPAA, the Director of Career Development and Experiential Education will provide vision and creative leadership for the development, implementation, and enhancement of career development and experiential learning opportunities for all Hood College graduates.

The Director of Career Development & Experiential Education supervises and directs the day-to-day activities and functions of the Center for Career Development and Experiential Education, including career services, experiential learning opportunities, and other high impact practices. The Director serves as a member of Provost Council and, as such, shares in the responsibility of upholding the academic mission of Hood College and is an important part of the Provost’s leadership and advisory team. A cornerstone of the mission under the Director’s oversight is promotion, advancement and assessment of high-impact learning experiences at Hood College, which are strategic focus for the institution.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Employer & Center Outreach Activities (40%)

1. Organize events that facilitate the interaction between members of the Hood community and organizations offering employment and/or experiential education opportunities.
2. Cultivate and maintain relationships with area organizations, civic groups, service agencies, and community leaders to promote Hood College as a resource for employees, interns and volunteers.
3. Establish regular ties with alumni programs to identify and coordinate appropriate opportunities for alumni to collaborate with students; maintain and expand on-line mentoring network of alumni who are willing to assist students and fellow alumni in career development; cultivate relationships with alumni through individual visits and attendance at alumni events on and off campus; and develop, plan and implement co-sponsored events with Alumni Relations Office.
4. Maintain active, ongoing communication with and support for Institutional Research, Student Life, the Graduate School, Admissions, Student Success, and others.
5. Serve on designated campus committees as needed.

Experiential Education Oversight (40%)

1. Chair the High-Impact Practice Task Force and oversee the successful execution of the team’s charge.
2. Oversee the annual P.I.R.E.S. event in collaboration with other campus offices.
3. Lead, supervise, and/or collaborate with the offices or that oversee on-campus student employment, internship, undergraduate research, and study abroad opportunities for students.
4. Coordinate the Career Center's outreach and liaison efforts with campus offices and work collaboratively with faculty to identify new experiential education opportunities.
5. Oversee recruitment of student participants, promotion on campus and in the community, and cultivation of new business/employer partnerships to expand experiential learning opportunities for Hood students.
6. Partner with faculty and the Office of Alumni Relations to identify and expand opportunities for experiential education through the alumni and/or parent network.
7. Maintain partner agreements, memberships, and MOU’s as required.
8. Partner with faculty to support and promote experiential education within the curriculum.
9. Facilitate assessment practices designed to evaluate experiential learning; ensure comprehensive annual reporting of all outcomes relative to experiential learning.
10. Sponsor faculty and student educational/promotional programs related to experiential education (workshops, best practices, etc.).
11. Oversee operational and endowed budget lines intended to support high impact experiences for students and faculty.

Career Development Services (10%)

1. Advise current students (first year through seniors and graduate students), prospective students, and alumni, on career choice and professional development, experiential education options, major selection, career shifts, resume development, graduate school, networking/informational interviews, job related correspondence, interviewing skills, job search strategies, etc.
2. Assist Center constituents via appointments, walk in hours, phone, email, etc.
3. Make referrals to other offices, departments, or resources off campus when appropriate.
4. Develop and co-present workshops including, but not limited to, resume writing, effective interviewing, job searching, changing careers, career exploration, transitioning to the work world, and marketing liberal arts skills.
5. Partner with College departments and offices on career related issues and support/co-sponsor relevant programs and services offered by these constituents.
6. Explain/demonstrate effective use of career-related platforms and library resources.
7. Oversee ongoing assessment of client Work with staff, College offices, and constituent groups to determine programming needs for constituent groups.

Supervisory and Professional Development (10%)

1. Supervise staff members in the Career Center and support their ongoing professional development consistent with their roles and responsibilities.
2. Engage in professional development programs specific to experiential education and high-impact practices (e.g. NSEE, AACU), as well as career development (e.g. NACE).
3. As appropriate, share Hood College programs and outcomes at regional and/or national conferences.